To eat healthy, we generally use only vegetable oils for preparing our food. We have been advised all the while that vegetable fats for cooking is a more option compared to animal fat. But vegetable oils contain saturated and unsaturated fats. We were given to believe that unsaturated fats are healthy while saturated fats are bad for body as they supposedly increase cholesterol. But these unsaturated fats are also turning out to be harmful, according to experts.

The reason is this. Non-saturated oils like vegetable oil, corn oil, safflower oil etc., when heated, suffer the effect of oxidation. The harmful result of oxidation on food is known as the rancidity of food. Foodstuffs that are made using the above mentioned fats and oils and kept for a long time emit strange smell and their original taste will change.

Then we call such phenomenon as rancidity. Foodstuff prepared with such oils and fats taste differently. Such food will produce what are called free radicals which damage healthy body cells. Hence they are toxic in nature. So, one needs to use less amount of tehse oils as they tend to become rancid, hence harmful.

Now consider coconut oil. This oil stays stable on heating. It doesn’t get altered. It is not prone to oxidation. So, there will be no free radicals problem. So, damage to bodily cells. You can cook food with it, bake food using it, you can even use for dressings etc.

Consider the advantages of coconut oil:

Helps in keeping the heart healthy.

Strengthens the body defence mechanism.

Provides you with energy and power.

It will sustain life support systems.

It will help in your goal of weight loss.

Cholesterol will be controlled at the desired level.

Additionally, it dacts as skin siftening agent.

But coconut oil is a saturated oil, everybody knows it. But how can it be labeled as healthy? It is beacause of its very configuration as a chemical compound. It contains medium-chain essential fatty acids (MCFA’s), whereas most other vegetable oils and fats contain lengthy-chain essential fatty acids (LCFA’s). LCFA’s can be detrimental to one’s health.

Our body will find it strenuous to digest these oils. Not only the digestive system, but other organs such as liver, pncreas etc have to bear the burden also. Un-processed fat gets accumulated in the body which will lead to higher levels of cholesterol. LCFA’s more often than not get saved as body fat.

Medium-chain fatty acids are easy to get digested and processed leading to fat reduction. Instead of getting accumulated in teh body, they help body’s metabolism.

Another really awesome proven fact is that coconut oil consists of Lauric Acid, that is a natural chemical compound present in breast milk. Lauric acidi is vital since it fortifies your defense mechanisms.

Be selective when buying coconut oil. Use only the very fresh oil that is available in the supermarkets. Don’t go by the expiry date comfort. They may turn rancid even before thier expiry date. Opt for fresh coconut oil that is extracted from fresh coconuts, not from dried nuts. They sttaste stale and turn rancid in no time.

Stress is an inevitable part of life in the busy, hectic society of today. With things constantly needing to be done, unexpected expenses, unplanned events, problems at work or at home and more, stress can lead to physical symptoms and cause serious damage.

How we deal with stress becomes imperative in maintaining a healthy and balanced life, as well as a healthy mindset. It’s often easy to get overwhelmed. Stress can trigger headaches, physical illness, reduced immune system function and anxiety attacks. Learning to deal with stress as it comes is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle, and these tips can help reduce the impact that stress often has on our minds and our bodies.

1) Exercise

It may seem like the last thing in the world you have time to do, but exercise can greatly reduce the impact of stress, and the worry that it creates in your mind. Exercise releases chemicals in the body that promote a steady emotional state, and burning off excess energy and frustration that stress is known to cause can be a healthy way to deal with stress positively. Going for a brisk walk or taking a run on a treadmill is not only good for you physically, but mentally as well.

2) Journaling

Writing down your thoughts and feelings can serve a dual purpose. Not only does it help you get all your thoughts out on paper (or online if typing is easier) but it can also help organize a stressful situation into more manageable pieces. By focusing on one aspect at a time, and making the effort to get your feelings out, they often reduce in intensity by the time you’re done. Then you’re ready to restart your task clearly and hopefully with a more helpful direction.

3) Take a Break

When pressures arise at work or at home, it may seem impossible to walk away from your desk and remove yourself physically from the situation. But (as any motivational speaker can tell you) taking a break – even for a few moments – can help your mind refocus and come back to the project at hand with a new focus.

4) Talk It Out

Like journaling, talking out your stress or frustration to a close friend, spouse or family member can do wonders at reducing the impact that stress can have. Vocalizing your feelings and getting them out into the open can usually serve the purpose of reducing them. You can look back and realize that, while a situation is bad, it’s only temporary. Know that you can get through it. Having the support and encouragement from a friend or family member can be the extra kick you need to get the job done right.

Uncontrollable situations happen – they’re an inevitable part of life. It’s how we handle them that help to define us as individuals and build our character into something to be proud of. Look back at the things that have worried you the most in the past week or month. Over 85% of the things we often stress ourselves out over never come to pass.

Worrying did nothing to prevent them, and worrying will do nothing to help the situation if they do happen. All stress does is make us feel sick, both mentally and physically. So instead of looking into the future for potential things that may happen, take things as they come, remember to take deep breaths, and try to relax. Above all, stressing out about stress doesn’t do any good. Let it go, smile and find a positive future.

We often hear about the dangers of consuming too much sweet junk food and candy, but did you know that sugars are essential to body function? Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. This condition commonly affects diabetics who have taken too much insulin, over exerted themselves, or missed a meal.

It can also occur as a side effect of other illnesses, like Addison’s disease. When blood sugar levels drop below four milimoles per litre, sufferers may feel extremely hungry or begin trembling and sweating. In more severe cases, disorientation and inability to focus may also occur.

The symptoms of hypoglycaemia overlap with those of hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar), and it can be difficult to determine which is occurring. However, the NHS recommends that diabetics experiencing these signs respond as if they had low blood sugar to prevent their glucose levels from dropping even more.

Without a rapid response to the symptoms associated with hypoglycaemia, blood sugar levels will continue to plummet and may even eventually cause unconsciousness as the brain is starved of glucose. Here are four fast-acting cures for the effects of hypoglycaemia:

1) Grab a sugary drink or food

Candies, milk chocolate, and fruit drinks all contain large amounts of sugar. Consuming one of these treats will quickly spike your blood glucose levels and restore your normal body function. Regular sodas (not diet varieties), diluted honey, and milk can also prevent collapse during a hypoglycaemic episode, but know that this is not enough to sustain healthy blood glucose levels.

2) Eat carbs straight away

Carbohydrate rich foods such as bread, cereals, and starches are converted into sugar by the body during digestion. Therefore, after raising your blood sugar levels with a quick fix candy, you should try to get a hold of a sandwich or some biscuits. This will keep blood sugar levels normal for longer since it takes your body more time to extract the sugar in carbohydrates.

3) Carry glucose or dextrose tablets

Sugar tablets have the advantage of being easily portable, so you can always keep them with you. In fact, hypoglycaemia sufferers should always carry these tablets, as they can restore blood sugar levels up to two times faster than sugary foods. You do not require a prescription to buy these tablets, and so they can be purchased on the go as needed.

4) Injectable glucagons

In extreme cases, such as in the event of unconsciousness caused by low blood sugar levels, hormone injections of glucagon will quickly restore blood sugar levels. Having a vial and syringes on hand in case of emergency would be wise for anyone with type 1 diabetes.

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you frequently suffer from hypoglycaemic episodes, make sure you limit your alcohol intake, follow a balanced diet, and fuel up by eating carbs before exercising. Make sure that those around you know you are prone to low blood sugar by telling friends and family, or by carrying identification letting others know about your condition.

Most people think that a healthy body is a physically fit body. After all, the first thing people notice would be our body’s outward appearance. But more than having a slim figure or well defined muscles, what happens inside the body is equally as important as how our muscles look.

A healthy mind is a healthy body. There’s no sense in having a slim figure when there’s no brain behind it. So the next time you’re contemplating on what parts of your body needs enhancement, here are five simple ways of keeping your brain healthy for better overall health.

Never Stop Learning

The brain may not be a muscle but keeping it fit with mental exercises is the best way to keep it functioning optimally. Reading a book, solving a puzzle or constantly learning new things increases mental capacity. It would also be a good idea to keep those brain circuits working by learning new academic pursuits.

Everything seems so easy right now that everything could be done with a simple taps on a keyboard. Want to compute how much you’re going to spend in the grocery? Then why not get a pen and piece of paper and do it mentally. If you’re going to spend a few hours in front of the television then why not catch the Discovery or History channel for a change.

Get Some Rest

Even machines require off hours for rest and maintenance. A simple way of keeping our brain rested is by sleeping. Scientific studies have shown that people who were not able to get adequate amounts of sleep. They also found out that stress levels were higher increasing the amount of cortisol in the brain. A tired brain makes it harder to focus and think more clearly.

Be Positive

Stress places a huge toll on the mind and body. It keeps us from thinking correctly and makes making the right decisions more difficult. Stress is a part of our everyday lives and there is no sure-proof way to shield us from this. Staying positive does not eliminate the stressful situation but allows us to make better decisions.

Stress causes the body to release a hormone called cortisol. It is released by the adrenal glands and goes to the brain. When stress is managed properly, the hormone is eliminated from the brain quickly. However, prolonged period of stress increases the levels of cortisol in the brain enhancing its negative effects. Cortisol damages and destroys brain cells more specifically the hippocampus, the area responsible for memory.

Live a Healthy Lifestyle

Too much of a good thing is bad and we should always live in moderation. Smoking, drinking and vices only hasten the aging process and increase the amounts of toxins in the body. Toxins located in the blood reach the brain killing irreplaceable brain cells.

Eat Brain Foods

A well nourished brain is a healthy mind. Just like any other part of our body, keeping the flow of nutrients to the brain keeps it mentally sharp and healthy. Mixed nuts, Omega 3 rich foods and blueberries are just some of the best sources of brain nutrients.

Avocados, whole grains and eggs also help in keeping your brain healthy. However, chocolates are by far the tastiest treat for our brains. These foods are not only excellent for maintaining optimum brain functioning but also prevents Alzheimer’s, Dementia and other mental disorders.